“WORLD CARTOON” POLL.. “DÜNYA KARIKATÜRÜ” ANKETI…

1) World Cartoon, especially when we are thinking on “subject with humor” have a stoppage. Almost without any researches we are working on a very first idea that comes to our mind. The result of this ends with similar cartoons. Do you think, we need to solve this problem? What can be done?
Answer: Maybe the subjects are too broad. For example, the topic “city issues” is definitely one of them. A more specific subject could be better for a competition. As for similarities I think they are not something you can eliminate, and they are not always caused by plagiarism.

2) According to us, one of the biggest responsible of frequently appearance of ”similar” cartoons is jurors of the contests. In particular the jurors who do not use the Internet as a medium votes for similar cartoons. We have a suggestion to prevent similarities on cartoons: Just to exhibit all submissions posted for contest in a digital gallery on the web site of the arrangers. This can maintain a healthy result for the final cartoons. ”Don Quichotte” has already lunched this method for a while ago. Do you have any different suggestions about this?
Answer: I liked this idea, but personally, I hardly ever can dig through all of the cartoons to see all the names or all works.

3) What is your opinion on ”Censorship in Cartoon?” Should a cartoon be restrictions on it? If yes, what is the borders of this?
Answer: I think there can be no restrictions on artistic activity, and censorship can never lead to anything creative. I believe every artist has their own conscience, which can help them judge what to do in order not to offend people if it is not the goal of their work. Maybe it should be somehow made clear to all participants in global cartoon collections, that there are religions which forbid depictions of people and animals, to avoid misunderstandings.

4) Also at recent periods we find more technically perfect cartoons, almost close to ”illustration” in definition and it seems they concern more plastic art which replace the traditionally cartooning with simple lines. It is a reality that there exists cartoonists/artists who produce on this track and who be very successful too. Our concern is mostly on that the priority of humor -the gag or the idea if you wish- stays in background. As it is known, the cartoon in definition is an expression with ”least and original” lines. Do you think so you too?
Answer: It is difficult to answer, because in my language (Polish) there is nothing like “cartoons” (although we used to, and still have, great cartoonists!) – we have terms for either illustrations, comics or satirical drawings. I think cartoons can be elaborate, and still function within sharp, immediately grabbing humour.

5) What kind of structures the cartoonists need to act in solidarity, organized as a whole against lawsuits? We need your alternative suggestions in order to create more strong cartoon unity, shoulder to shoulder, which will work internationally. Do you have any suggestions?
Answer: I think visual artists should form unions to organize for common goals. The example of film artists organizing into trade unions (e.g. script writers in USA) shows that organized communities of artists can be no less successful than labour unions. However, I believe that such organizations should be unhierarchic and should base on common and equal debates among artists.